MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- Junior cadets with the Basic Academy of International Studies Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps out of Henderson, Nev., learned many aspects of being a Marine aboard the Combat Center Dec. 3-4, 2015.

“The purpose of this organization is to immerse these young men and women into the lifestyle of the Marine Corps,” said retired 1st Sgt. Jay Foote, MCJROTC Instructor, Basic Academy. “They live the Marine Corps life over at the academy and this was an opportunity for them to be able to see the different job skills, and intermix with the Marines that they always hear so much about.”

This is the first time cadets of the Basic Academy have been invited to visit the Combat Center to get a feel for what life on an installation is like.

“I’m in love with the base,” said Aaron Bates, cadet, MCJROTC. “I wish I could stay here all the time. I think it’s important for us to come and see different facets of the Marine Corps so we can grow not only as cadets but people as well.”

During the two-day tour the cadets visited Explosive Ordnance Disposal, the Battle Simulation Center, the Provost Marshal’s Office’s K-9 division and the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer. They were also able to tour the Military Operations on Urban Terrain at Range 215, dine at Dunham Hall, spend a night in the field, and feast on Meals Ready to Eat. The trip was concluded with a visit to the Marine Corps Exchange.

“This trip was extremely important because some of these kids will never witness the Marine Corps before actually joining,” Foote said. “This gives them an opportunity to see what [military occupational specialty] they might want to do and hear from subject matter experts about all the different things the Marine Corps has to offer.”

At each stop the cadets were given an opportunity to learn more about each particular MOS and receive insight into what performing the job entails.

“I think this was a great experience especially for people who are not sure what they want to do in the future,” said Kailee Moore, cadet, MCJROTC. “If they think they want to be in the military I think this gives them a confidence boost.”